Hawai‘i’s Best Paid Athlete is DeForest Buckner, at $16 Million

Here’s what 28 football and baseball stars with local ties earn in 2022, including Tua Tagovailoa, Kolten Wong, Isaac Suemalo and Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
08 22 Heroes 1800x1200 Bridge Sports Salaries
Illustration by Kelsie Dayna

Buffanblu? More like bathed in green.

Former Punahou standout DeForest Buckner heads this year’s list of highest-paid professional athletes with Hawai‘i ties. Now entering his seventh NFL season – his third with the Indianapolis Colts – Buckner owns the second-most lucrative contract for a defensive tackle, behind only Aaron Donald of the reigning Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.

Buckner’s former Buffanblu teammate, Ka‘imi Fairbairn, also ranks high on our list. The Houston Texans placekicker, who led all NFL players in scoring in 2018, sports the eighth-highest contract among kickers.

No fewer than 15 Hawai‘i athletes are scheduled to make $1 million or more in 2022.

Here is our list of athletes with Hawai‘i ties and their 2022 salaries. Our source is Spotrac.com, a website that tracks the contracts of athletes in the major professional sports leagues. Spotrac does not track the earnings of professional surfers and MMA fighters.

 

1. Deforest Buckner

Defensive Tackle, Indianapolis Colts
Wai‘anae, Punahou School
2022 Salary: $16 million*
Four-year Contract (2021-2024): $84 million
*Includes a $5 million roster bonus

2. Tua Tagovailoa

Quarterback, Miami Dolphins
‘Ewa Beach, Saint Louis School
2022 Salary: $9,633,094*
Four-year Contract (2020-2023): $30,275,438*
Includes a $4,894,625 signing bonus and $2,467,313 roster bonus

3. Kolten Wong

Second Baseman, Milwaukee Brewers
Hilo, Kamehameha-Hawai‘i, UH
2022 Salary: $8.5 million*
Two-year Contract (2021-2022): $18 million
*Includes a $500,000 signing bonus

4. Isaac Suemalo

Offensive Guard, Philadelphia Eagles
Born in Honolulu
2022 Salary: $7,668,000*
Three-year Contract (2020-2022): $15,918,000
*Includes an $800,000 signing bonus

5. Isiah Kiner-Falefa

Shortstop, New York Yankees
Honolulu, Mid-Pacific Institute
2022 Salary: $4.7 million
One-year Contract: $4.7 million

6. Ka‘imi Fairbairn

Placekicker, Houston Texans
Kailua, Punahou School
2022 Salary: $4.3 million*
Four Year Contract (2020-2023): $17.65 million
*Includes a $750,000 signing bonus

7. Marcus Mariota

Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons
Honolulu, Saint Louis School
2022 Salary: $4.25 million*
Two-year Contract (2022-2023): $18.75 million
*Includes $2.5 million sign-ing bonus

8. Kamu Grugier-Hill

Linebacker, Houston Texans
Honolulu, Kamehameha-Kapālama
2022 Salary: $4 million*
One-year Contract:$4 million
*Includes a $1.5 million signing bonus and $411,754 roster bonus

9. Tyson Alualu

Defensive End, Pittsburgh Steelers
Honolulu, Saint Louis School
2022 Salary: $3,462,500*
Two-year Contract (2021-2022): $5.5 million
*Includes a $962,500 signing bonus

10. Jamin DavisLinebacker

Washington Commanders Born in Honolulu
2022 Salary: $3,135,040*
Four-year Contract (2021-2024): $13,794,176
*Includes a $1,848,032 signing bonus

11. Nate Herbig

Offensive Guard, New York Jets
Līhu‘e, Saint Louis School
2022 Salary: $2,433,000
One-year Contract: $2,433,000

12. Rigoberto Sanchez

Punter, Indianapolis Colts
UH
2022 Salary: $2,345,000
Four-year Contract (2020-2023): $11.6 million

13. Kurt Suzuki Catcher

Los Angeles Angels
Wailuku, Baldwin High
2022 Salary: $1.75 million
One-year Contract: $1.75 million

14. Jahlani Tavai

Linebacker, New England Patriots
UH
2022 Salary: $1.22 million*
Two-year Contract (2021-2022): $1,858,886
*Includes a $25,000 signing bonus, $180,000 roster bonus and $50,000 workout bonus

15. Kirby Yates

Relief Pitcher, Atlanta Braves
Līhu‘e, Kaua‘i High
2022 Salary: $1 million
Two-year Contract (2022-2023): $8.25 million

16. Alohi Gilman

Safety, Los Angeles Chargers
Born in Lā‘ie
2022 Salary: $942,051*
Four-year Contract (2020-2023): $3,483,204
*Includes a $47,051 signing bonus

17. Bradlee Anae

Defensive End, New York Jets
Lā‘ie, Kahuku High
2022 Salary: $905,000*
One-year Contract (2022): $905,000
*Includes a $10,000 signing bonus

18. Trayvon Henderson

Safety, Cincinnati Bengals
UH
2022 Salary: $895,000
One-year Contract: $895,000

19. Breiden Fehoko

Defensive Tackle, Los Angeles Chargers
Honolulu, Farrington High
2022 Salary: $825,000
Two-year Contract (2021-2022): $1,485,000

20. Josh Rojas

Outfielder, Arizona Diamondbacks
UH
2022 Salary: $730,900
One-year Contract: $730,900

21. Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa

Defensive Tackle, Las Vegas Raiders
‘Ewa Beach, Kapolei High
2022 Salary: $708,333*
Three-year Contract (2022-2024): $2.57 million
*Includes a $3,333 signing bonus

22. JaredSmartWide

Receiver, Arizona Cardinals
UH
2022 Salary: $705,000
Three-year Contract (2022-2024): $2.56 million

23. Rico Garcia

Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles
Honolulu, Hawai‘i Pacific University
2022 Salary: $700,000
One-year Contract: $700,000

 

United States Football League

A new version of the USFL was launched in spring 2022. The eight-team league is primarily viewed as a proving ground for players who hope to earn (or regain) roster spots in the NFL. USFL players with Hawai‘i ties include:

1. Jordan Ta‘amu

Quarterback, Tampa Bay Bandits
Pearl City, Pearl City High
2022 Salary: $36,450

2. Nick Rose

Placekicker, New Jersey Generals
Born in Honolulu
2022 Salary: $36,000

3. Kalani Vakameilalo

Defensive Tackle, New Jersey Generals
Kapolei, Kapolei High
2022 Salary: $27,000

4. Jojo WardWide

Receiver, Houston Gamblers
UH
2022 Salary: $23,600

5. Hercules Mata‘afa

Defensive End, New Jersey Generals
Lahaina, Lahainaluna High
2022 Salary: $2,350

 

 

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